The Twemlows Story: From Family Farm to Equine Reproduction Centre
- August 3, 2026
Today’s Twemlows Stud Farm is recognised as one of the UK’s leading equine reproduction centres, but its story began long before artificial insemination, embryo transfer and advanced reproductive technologies transformed horse breeding. At its heart, Twemlows remains a family business built on resilience, innovation and a lifelong passion for horses.
The Early Years
The story begins in 1940, when Bob and Rosemary Matson moved from a small Cheshire farm to take on the tenancy of a neighbouring farm to Twemlows Hall, known as The Twemlows. Over the following years, Bob developed a thriving mixed farming enterprise, centred around a pedigree herd of Ayrshire cattle, traditional Cheshire cheese production and pig farming. After purchasing the farm in 1953, the family business continued to grow, with Bob’s son, Richard, joining in 1962.
Although dairying formed the backbone of the farm, horses were never far from the family’s attention. Bob became well known for sourcing young horses from Britain and Ireland, producing them for hunting and eventing before selling them at the renowned Leicester Horse Sales. His passion for quality horses would ultimately shape the future direction of the business.
The family faced one of its greatest challenges in 1967 when Foot and Mouth Disease devastated the farm, resulting in the loss of the dairy herd, youngstock and pigs. The business recovered, but the experience reinforced the importance of adaptability. During the 1970s, Richard’s growing interest in sport horse breeding was strengthened by two Irish Draught mares whose offspring achieved success in competition, inspiring his ambition to help establish British breeding on the international stage.
A New Direction
Following Bob Matson’s death in 1986, the family made the decision to diversify. Over the next four years, the livestock enterprise was gradually phased out, and, in 1988, Twemlows Stud was born.
Initially centred around natural covering with resident stallions, the stud quickly evolved as equine breeding advanced. Artificial insemination became a key part of the business, offering breeders greater flexibility and access to bloodlines from across the world. Existing farm buildings found new purpose, with former dairy facilities transformed into stabling, winter accommodation and, eventually, a purpose-built veterinary centre.
Pioneering Equine Reproduction
Innovation has remained at the heart of Twemlows ever since. In 2001, the stud introduced Artificial Insemination training courses, sharing practical knowledge with breeders and veterinary professionals alike. Embryo Transfer followed in 2006, opening new possibilities for sport horse breeding.
A defining milestone came in 2011, when Twemlows entered into a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University of Liverpool’s Equine Hospital at Leahurst. Together, they pioneered research into embryo freezing, Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), becoming the first programme of its kind in the UK and only the second in Europe. The technologies developed through this collaboration continue to play an important role in modern breeding programmes and reinforced Twemlows’ position at the forefront of equine reproduction.
Alongside advances in veterinary medicine, the stud continued to expand, developing specialist foaling facilities, recipient mare programmes and purpose-built training spaces to support breeders throughout every stage of the breeding journey.
Twemlows Today
Today, Twemlows welcomes more than 300 mares each year and works with over 130 stallions, supporting breeders from across the UK and overseas. Education remains central to the business, with DEFRA-approved training courses, breeder education and veterinary CPD helping to share knowledge throughout the industry.
Now led by Edward Matson, the third generation of the family, Twemlows continues to evolve while working alongside neighbouring Stallion AI Services, managed independently by his brother, Tullis Matson.
Looking Ahead
More than eighty years after Bob and Rosemary first arrived at The Twemlows, the values that shaped the family farm remain unchanged. From its agricultural beginnings to its position as a leading equine reproduction centre, the business has continually embraced change while keeping the horse at the centre of everything it does.
With a fourth generation of the Matson family becoming increasingly involved, Twemlows looks to the future with the same ambition that first inspired its transformation: to continue advancing equine reproduction while providing exceptional care for breeders, mares and foals for generations to come.
